Water saving toilet flush system

ABSTRACT

A water saving toilet flush system to selectively practice a partial or a full flush at the selection of the user is disclosed. A partial flush operation is initiated by depressing the control handle to commence the flush to connect a magnet assembly and to simultaneously unseat an associated flapper valve. Then the control lever is lifted to uncouple the magnet assembly and allow a float assembly to control seating of the flapper valve. A full flush operation is initiated in the same manner the partial flush operation is initiated. However, the control lever is allowed to remain depressed, causing the magnet assembly to remain coupled until a water level is low enough to cause the flapper valve to uncouple the magnet assembly and to drop to a closed position completing the full flush cycle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/274,569 filed Aug. 20, 2009, hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to water conservation and more particularly to a toilet flush apparatus producing a dual flush toilet system selectively actuated by the user.

It has been determined that flush toilets account for a very large percentage of residential water use. As a result of governmental edicts, newly produced flush toilets may not use more than 1.6 gallons per flush. While such toilets tend to conserve water use, the millions of existing toilets use 3.5 to 5.5 gallons of water per flush. The cost of replacing these older toilets is substantial and a deterrent to the solution of water conservation.

Further, it has been found that dual flush toilet systems have been designed which are satisfactory. These systems often employ mechanisms that are complicated and may require redesigned water tanks including new openings, unique control linkage, and specifically trained installers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to produce a dual flush toilet system which can be readily installed on existing toilets, as well as incorporated in newly produced toilets.

The above objects and advantages of the invention may be typically achieved by a water saving toilet flush system including a tank having a water outlet, a source of water communicating with the tank, and an overfill tube, the improvement comprising: a normally closed flapper valve cooperating with the water outlet; a float mounted for reciprocal movement on the overfill tube; a float chain connecting a flapper valve to the float to assist in pulling the flapper open; a lever arm for selectively opening the flapper valve and allowing floatation of the float and movement thereof toward the open end of the overfill tube; and magnet for selectively securing the flapper valve in an open position until the lever arm is actuated to release the magnet allowing the float to control the closure of the flapper valve to produce a partial flush, or the lever arm remains unactuated allowing the water in the tank to exit the water outlet until the weight of the flapper valve is sufficient to release the magnet allowing the flapper valve to close to produce a full flush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following detailed description of an preferred embodiment of the invention when considered in the light of the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the parameters of the present invention installed in a conventional toilet tank;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 1 showing a flapper unseated by the manipulation of a handle and associated lever with the flapper maintained in an open position by a magnet assembly;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating the initiation of the procedure to achieve a partial flush operation wherein the handle and associated lever are manipulated to uncouple the magnet assembly allowing the float to lower the flapper valve as the water exits the tank.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 3 showing a decreased water level, lowered float, and the flapper valve in a closed position, completing the partial flush operation;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relative position of the components of the invention during the final sequences of a full flush operation; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view similar to accompanying figures illustrating the final view of the components as the full flush operation is completed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated, in a somewhat diagrammatic form, the components of the invention and the manner the components are disposed and utilized in the conversion or retrofitting of a conventional single flush toilet to a dual flush toilet.

While all of the drawings illustrate the components of the invention, the individual figures show the relative position of the components during a partial flush operation (FIGS. 1-4) and a full flush operation (FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6).

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown the sequence of the operation to achieve a partial flush of a conventional flush toilet converted to a dual flush system in accordance with the present invention. It will be understood that the components to be discussed are installed in a water tank of a conventional flush toilet. The tank is provided with a suitable source of water and a water outlet which is in communication with the associated toilet bowl.

The following description involves the components of the invention installed within the confines of the toilet tank of a conventional flush toilet. It is believed that the conversion will be best understood from a description of the installation of the conversion components. For simplicity sake, the water fill valve mechanism is the customary type and is not illustrated in the drawings.

The first step in the conversion process requires the water supply to the tank must be turned off. Next, the toilet should be flushed to empty the water from the tank. The existing flapper valve is replaced with a flapper valve that does not float. It has been found that by adding weight, such as by the addition of an internal lead weight, for example, the flapper valves may be rendered unfloatable. Once installation is complete, the water supply to the tank should be turned on to allow the tank to fill with water. When the tank has been refilled, the tank may be operated in a fashion to allow a partial flush operation or a full flush operation, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

An adjustable sliding float assembly, generally indicated by reference number 10, is installed over the existing overfill tube 12 of the water fill valve mechanism, the overfill tube 12 having one end communicating with a water outlet and the opposite end being open. The float assembly 10 includes a tubular main body main body 14 and an associated float 16. The inner diameter of the tubular main body 14 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the overfill tube 12 to enable the tubular main body 14 to easily slide in respect of the overfill tube 12. The float 16 is formed of any buoyant material such as a foam material and plastic, for example. The float 16 is provided with a hole therethrough which tightly receives the tubular main body 14. The fit between the outer cylindrical surface of the main body 14 and the surface of the hole formed in the float 16 is such that will allow relative movement by applying manual force to the main body 14 and/or the float 16, but under normal operating conditions no relative motion will occur.

A flapper valve 18 is installed to pivotally engage with a flush valve 20. The flapper valve 18 is connected to the tubular main body 14 by a float chain 22 in any of the conventional manners.

An operating handle 24 and an associated flush arm 26 are suitably pivotally mounted to the wall of the toilet tank such that the handle 24 is located outside of the tank and the flush arm 26 is located within an interior of the tank. The normal angular relation of the handle 24 and the flush arm 26 is fixedly secured through a connection therebetween. The coupling between the handle 24 and the flush arm 26 also may function to provide the pivot mounting to the tank. The normal position of the handle 24 and the flush arm 26 is illustrated in FIG. 1.

A connection means 28 of a magnet assembly is securely mounted to a distal end of the flush arm 26 by any suitable connector 30, such as a grommet formed of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, for example. As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the connection means 28 is a first magnet 28. The connector 30 is connected to a distal portion of the flapper valve 18 by a flapper chain 32.

A second magnet 34 of the magnet assembly is suitably mounted within the tank and positioned to be magnetically coupled with the first magnet 28 when the handle 24 is pressed downwardly causing the flush arm 26 to pivot the first magnet 28 upwardly. The cooperative engagement between the first magnet 28 and the second magnet 34 is important. The weight of the flapper valve 18 when a portion thereof is above a water level WL must be sufficient to cause the magnets 28 and 34 to separate. It is understood that the second magnet 24 may be a metal adapted to magnetically couple the first magnet 24 thereto, as desired. It is further understood that the magnet assembly may be a mechanical coupling means such as a cooperating detent and latch, and the like, for example.

When in use of the dual flush system described herein, the downward travel of the handle 24 must be sufficient to cause the flapper valve 18 to pivot upwardly to remove it from the opposing forces caused by the escaping water in the suction zone of the tank to maintain the flapper valve 18 in a open position with the flush valve 20. In this position, the floatation or buoyancy of the float 16 is sufficient to cause the tubular main body 14 to slide upwardly on the overfill tube 12, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The upward movement of the tubular main body 14 is allowed through the cooperative action of the upward thrust on the flapper valve 18 by movement of the flush lever 26 and the force of the chain 32 and the almost simultaneous upward movement of the float 16 and the associated chain 22. At this stage in the flushing procedure, the flush valve 20 is completely opened allowing the unimpeded flow of the water from the tank through the flush valve 20 to the associated toilet bowl to take place.

To effect a partial flush, the handle 24 is pulled upwardly to cause it and the flush lever 26 to move, as generally illustrated in FIG. 3. It will be noted that as the flush lever 26 is thus moved, it, in turn, causes the first magnet 28 to become disconnected from the second magnet 34 and simultaneously allows the chain 32 to become lax, transferring the tension on and control of the movement of the flapper valve 18 to the float assembly 10. Finally, the tubular main body 14 and the float 16 and the associated chain 22 allow the flapper valve 18 to lower to the position illustrated in FIG. 4, thus stopping the flow of water through the flush valve 20.

The foregoing description is considered to adequately describe the components of the invention and the functional relation in respect of achieving a partial flush. A full flush will now be explained. Initially, it must be understood that at the conclusion of each flush operation, whether a partial flush or a full flush, the tank is filled with water to cause the water level (WL) to rise to a full position, as shown in FIG. 1. The first steps of the full flush operation are substantially similar to those steps initially discussed hereinabove in respect of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the description of the partial flush cycle. After the movement of the handle 24 to the position illustrated in FIG. 2, the water exists the open flush valve 20 and the water level (WL) falls to the water level (WL) illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein the magnets 28 and 34 are held together, thereby holding the flapper valve 18 open. As the water uncovers the flapper valve 18, strain is increased on the magnet assembly. As the water level (WL) continues to fall, the first magnet 28 is uncoupled from the second magnet 34 and the handle 24 returns to its normal position as illustrated in FIG. 6, thereby completing the full flush operation. Water then is admitted to the tank for refilling.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. 

1. A water saving toilet flush system including a tank having a water outlet, a source of water communicating with the tank, and an overfill tube, the improvement comprising: a normally closed flapper valve cooperating with the water outlet; a float mounted for reciprocal movement on the overfill tube; a float chain connecting a flapper valve to the float to assist in pulling the flapper open; a lever arm for selectively opening the flapper valve and allowing floatation of the float and movement thereof toward the open end of the overfill tube; and magnet for selectively securing the flapper valve in an open position until the lever arm is actuated to release the magnet allowing the float to control the closure of the flapper valve to produce a partial flush, or the lever arm remains unactuated allowing the water in the tank to exit the water outlet and finally the weight of the flapper valve is sufficient to release the magnet allowing the flapper valve to close to produce a full flush.
 2. A water saving toilet flush system including a tank having a water outlet a source of water communicating with the tank, and an overfill tube, the improvement comprising: a normally closed weighted flapper valve cooperating with the water outlet; float assembly mounted for reciprocal movement; means connecting the float assembly to the flapper valve to assist in pulling the weighted flapper open; a lever arm for selectively opening the flapper valve and allowing floatation of the float assembly and upward movement thereof; and connection means for selectively securing the flapper valve in an open position until the lever arm is either actuated to release the connection means allowing the float to control the closure of the flapper valve to produce a partial flush, or the lever arm remains unactuated allowing the water in the tank to exit the water outlet and finally the weight of the flapper valve is sufficient to release the connection means allowing the flapper valve to close to produce a full flush.
 3. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the float assembly includes a main body housing longitudinal axis mounted for reciprocal movement on the overfill tube, and a float mounted to the main body.
 4. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the float is selectively axially adjustable in respect of the main body.
 5. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the connection means is a magnet.
 6. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the connection means is a detent.
 7. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein means connecting the float assembly to the flapper valve is a float chain.
 8. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the flapper valve is weighted. 